NBA Power Rankings: Cavs & Lakers Knocked Off Their Block

November 3rd, 2009 by John Lorge Leave a reply »

It has been a great week of NBA action so far, we’ve seen good teams lose and bad teams lose more.  We also have three teams looking outstanding despite missing a piece or two from their key rotation.

Here’s my second installment of the power rankings:

1. Boston Celtics (3) - For having the reputation of a trouble maker, Sheed is fitting in quite nicely.

2. Denver Nuggets (5) - Melo is setting the pace for the MVP race. Even without J.R., Denver is looking dangerous.

3. Orlando Magic (6) - Depth has allowed the Magic to survive without Shard or Vince—not traveling West until December helps, too.

4. Los Angeles Lakers (1) - We know they can win without Bynum, but L.A. doesn't look like the Champs without Pau.

5. San Antonio Spurs (4) - Old bones looked brittle in back-to-back against Chicago.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers (2) - 0-2 start was inexcusable. The talent is there but the team doesn't have the same swagger as last year.

7. Dallas Mavericks (8) - After a 14-point victory in L.A., Howard's return only makes them that much more dangerous.

8. Atlanta Hawks (11) - Rotation lacks size, something their games in the next two weeks will expose.

9. Miami Heat (13) - Forget Wade, Jermaine O'Neal's double-double average has this team undefeated...OK, Wade is good, too.

10. Portland Trail Blazers (7) - Wins against Atlanta and San Antonio at home will help us forget about Houston.

11. Washington Wizards (14) - They can win big games without Jamison. Fans are just hoping they won't have to try to without Gilbert.

12. Phoenix Suns (12) - Haven't lost but haven't played anybody. Will play Miami, Orlando, Boston, Washington, and Philly by this time next week all on the road.

13. Houston Rockets (22) - Two key road wins means this team is more than hungry, they are capable.

14. Utah Jazz (9) - Talent on the roster is much better than their 1-2 record.

15. Toronto Raptors (15) - Shocker against Cleveland then shocked at Memphis, the Raptors are as two-faced as they come.

16. Chicago Bulls (17) - So easy to like, did you know they are shooting .413 from the field and .163 from three?

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (21) - Kevin Durant is good enough to put this team on his back. Green and Westbrook are good enough that he may not have to.

18. Philadelphia 76ers (19) - Lou Williams has a 7.5 A/T and A.I. dishes out 6.7 assists per game, who needs a traditional PG?

19. New Orleans Hornets (10) - Just not clicking right now, they seem prime candidates for a midseason trade.

20. Milwaukee Bucks (27) - Down goes Redd, up comes Jennings, down go the Pistons.

21. Detroit Pistons (16) - @CharlieV wuz last seasons production all about the Benjamins?

22. Indiana Pacers (20) - Must win game against the Knicks this week. If they lose, they fall.

23. Los Angeles Clippers (18) - Without Blake Griffin, this is the same Clippers, minus Z-RO. If I did my math right that equals the same old Clippers.

24. Charlotte Bobcats (28) - Good defense will always beat bad teams.

25. Golden State Warriors (23) - They'll win some, they'll lose some, they'll shoot a lot of threes on the way.

26. New York Knicks (26) - They will shoot even more threes—especially Gallinari.

27. Sacramento Kings (29) - They're hurting, but at least there is the future.

28. Memphis Grizzlies (24) - Iverson will sell a few more tickets but will he inhibit Mayo's progression?

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (30) - Al Jefferson's rehab mission is painful to watch.

30. New Jersey Nets (25) - Harris goes out for the first time this year. It won't be the last.




This story was originally syndicated from Bleacher Report - Front Page.
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